» » David Copperfield (1913)

David Copperfield (1913) Online

David Copperfield (1913) Online
1913 Kenneth Ware Reginald Sheffield Len Bethel Thomas Bentley
Original Title :
David Copperfield
Genre :
Movie / Drama
Year :
1913
Directror :
Thomas Bentley
Cast :
Kenneth Ware,Reginald Sheffield,Len Bethel
Writer :
Thomas Bentley,Charles Dickens
Type :
Movie
Time :
1h 7min
Rating :
5.9/10

Watch online HD Download HD

David Copperfield (1913) Online

David Copperfield, shortly after the death of his beloved father, becomes aware of the attention of one Mr. Murdstone to his mother. His displeasure at such attentions is markedly evidenced, and as a result he is dispatched on a visit to Aunt Peggoty's home in Yarmouth, which has been made of an upturned boat by the side of the sea. Here be meets little Emily. Upon his return to his home. "The Rookery," he finds his suspicions were true, and Murdstone has become his stepfather. Revolting against the tyranny and cruel treatment accorded him at the hands of his stepfather, David is sent to school at Salem House. While there he is advised of the death of his dear mother. After his mother's death, David is apprenticed to serve in the Murdstone brewery, and there becomes a lodger at the home of Mr. Micawber. The Micawbers, in straitened circumstances, are evicted from their humble dwelling, and David, mourning the loss of his new-found friends, resolves to run away from his brewery ...
Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth Ware Kenneth Ware - David Copperfield (as an adult)
Reginald Sheffield Reginald Sheffield - David Copperfield (as a child) (as Eric Desmond)
Len Bethel Len Bethel - David Copperfield (as a youth)
Alma Taylor Alma Taylor - Dora Spenlow
H. Collins H. Collins - Wilkins Micawber
Jack Hulcup Jack Hulcup - Urian Heep
Jamie Darling Jamie Darling - Daniel Peggotty
Edna May Edna May - Little Em'ly - as a child
Amy Verity Amy Verity - Little Em'ly
Cecil Mannering Cecil Mannering - Steerforth
Ella Fineberg Ella Fineberg - Agnes Wickfield
Miss Harcourt Miss Harcourt - Betsy Trotwood
Johnny Butt Johnny Butt - Mr. Murdstone
Miss West Miss West - Mrs. Micawber
Shiel Porter Shiel Porter - Mr. Wickfield

First full-length feature to be filmed in England.

Used many of the actual locations in which the novel was set.


User reviews

Dainris

Dainris

This early feature-length film, "David Copperfield", doesn't hold up well today; moreover, it compares unfavorably with other early long films: including "Atlantis", "Ingeborg Holm", "The Student of Prague", "Traffic in Souls" and "Twilight of a Woman's Soul", which were all released in 1913 and from different nations. That's not even mentioning the superior contemporary short films. Cecil Hepworth's company, which made this "David Copperfield", made the far more cinematic "Rescued by Rover" back in 1905. Yet, "David Copperfield" is, by no means, the worst of its time, either. That its camera wasn't nailed to the proscenium arch of a stage raises it above some other filmed plays.

Nevertheless, this photoplay consists of shot-scenes (that is, no scene dissection) from long shot positions. In outdoor scenes, there's some awkward panning to keep action within frame--instead of using editing. In indoor scenes, the camera is a bit closer to the action, and the camera remains stationary. Acting is broad and theatrical, including the actor playing Uriah Heep constantly rubbing his hands in clichéd villainous fashion, but I've seen worse, and it's the least of this picture's problems. Most of the storytelling is told through title cards rather than shown cinematically, so it's no more than book illustrations to a truncated plotting of Dickens's novel. With so many of the early feature-length productions being of similar or worse quality than this "David Copperfield", it's a wonder they ever supplanted the one and two reel formats.
Cemav

Cemav

Thank you Grapevine Videos for preserving so many classic silents like this one.

The remarkable thing about this film is the obvious love of Dickens' writing that the director and cast show. The director made sure of using the real settings that Dickens' describes in his story. So that when David enters the city of Canterbury, we see the famous stone arch that welcomes the typical visitor to this day.

Even the over the top acting works well, as it gives modern day audiences an idea of how Dickens timeless melodramas were treated by its Victorian actors.

A definite must see for the Dickens' fans.